Analysis by: Michael Jhon Ofiaza
ALIASES:

Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen.iyh (Kaspersky) ; Ransom.CryptXXX (Norton) ; Ransom:Win32/Genasom (Microsoft)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Ransomware

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted: No

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

Infection Channel: Dropped by other malware, Downloaded from the Internet

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

It drops files as ransom note.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 31,232 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: No
Initial Samples Received Date: 23 May 2018
Payload: Terminates processes, Encrypts files

Arrival Details

This Ransomware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.

Process Termination

This Ransomware terminates the following processes if found running in the affected system's memory:

  • sqlserv.exe
  • oracle.exe
  • ntdbsmgr.exe
  • sqlservr.exe
  • sqlwriter.exe
  • MsDtsSrvr.exe
  • msmdsrv.exe
  • ReportingServecesService.exe
  • fdhost.exe
  • fdlauncher.exe

Other Details

This Ransomware does the following:

  • Executes the following to delete shadow copies:
    • vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet

Ransomware Routine

This Ransomware avoids encrypting files found in the following folders:

  • Windows
  • Program files
  • Program files (x86)
  • System volume information
  • $Recycle.bin

It appends the following extension to the file name of the encrypted files:

  • .[pain@{BLOCKED}k.lu].pain

It drops the following file(s) as ransom note:

  • {Encrypted Folder}\!=How_recovery_files=!.txt

It leaves text files that serve as ransom notes containing the following text:

  • ########## PAIN LOCKER ##########

    Hello, dear friend!
    All your files have been ENCRYPTED
    Do you really want to restore your files
    Write to our email - pain@{BLOCKED}k.lu or pain@{BLOCKED}l.cc
    and tell us your unique ID - {BLOCKED}454

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.850
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN FILE: 14.284.03
FIRST VSAPI PATTERN DATE: 30 May 2018
VSAPI OPR PATTERN File: 14.285.00
VSAPI OPR PATTERN Date: 31 May 2018

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Identify and terminate files detected as RANSOM_PAIN.THECOAH

[ Learn More ]
  1. Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
  2. If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
  3. If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.

Step 4

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.  
  • {Encrypted Folder}\!=How_recovery_files=!.txt

Step 5

Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as RANSOM_PAIN.THECOAH. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information:

Step 6

Restore encrypted files from backup.

NOTES:
Enabling Volume Shadow Service

  1. Run the command prompt (cmd.exe) as administrator.
  2. Enable Volume Shadow Service by typing the following command:

    net start vss


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